Italy’s Defense Minister Disputes NATO Chief’s Claims on Iran War Role

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, following statements by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte indicating that the United States utilized Italian bases in operations against Iran, Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto reacted sharply to these remarks.

Crosetto stated that only flights adhering to international treaties departed from Italian bases, asserting that Rutte’s claims were entirely inaccurate. Rutte had previously told Fox News that approximately 500 U.S. military aircraft flew from bases in Italy to participate in U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran. He further revealed that between 4,000 and 5,000 military flights from various European bases supported military operations against Iran.

These statements emerge after the Italian government had previously emphasized that only technical and logistical flights consistent with bilateral agreements between Rome and Washington were permitted to use U.S. military bases on Italian territory. Opposition parties have also demanded immediate clarification. Angela Bonelli, a representative from Italy’s Green Party, accused the Meloni government of misleading the public and parliament, calling for official explanations on the matter.

This controversy arises amidst repeated criticism from the U.S. government regarding what it describes as insufficient support from European allies in operations against Iran. In his remarks, Rutte also commended Romania for providing necessary infrastructure for U.S. military operations.